Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on 7th October, the UK Jewish charity the Community Security Trust (CST), has recorded approximately 800 incidents of antisemitism.

Particularly alarming is the spike in antisemitic incidents in London. More than 400 such offences occurred between 1st and 27th October compared to 28 during the same period last year, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Fr Jan Nowotnik, Secretary of the Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations, expressed his deep concern:

"As followers of Christ, we are a people of peace, and the figures recorded by the Metropolitan Police for these crimes in London are alarming. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society."

He also condemned any faith-related crimes, emphasising the need for unity.

Increase in Islamophobic offences

Fr Nowotnik is also Secretary for the Office for Relations with Other Religions and highlighted the "disturbing rise" in crimes against Muslims.

The Metropolitan Police reported a 140% increase in Islamophobic offences between 1st-18th October compared to the previous year.

Fr Nowotnik stressed "It is important to remember that we are all made in the image and likeness of God and recognise that violence begets violence." He called on all believers to pray for peace in our troubled world.

These concerns align with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster, who recently appealed for "restraint" following violent responses to the war in London and across the UK.

"At home, I appeal for restraint and the total avoidance of hateful language and action, as the impact of this conflict is felt in communities here," Cardinal Nichols said.

Sources

Universe Weekly

CathNews New Zealand

It comes after reports of disorder at Auckland War Memorial Museum when a small number of Palestinian sympathisers gathering to rally against the building being lit up in Israeli colours met Israeli sympathisers there.

There were also ugly scenes in Sydney last Monday after thousands of pro-Palestinian sympathisers gathered on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, which was illuminated in blue and white in support of Israel.

Video from the event showed protesters also burning Israeli flags, setting off flares and chanting anti-Semitic phrases, including "gas the Jews".

The director-general of security for the Australia Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have since jointly warned of the potential for "spontaneous violence", the Syndey Morning Herald reported. Read more

It comes after reports of disorder at Auckland War Memorial Museum when a small number of Palestinian sympathisers gathering to rally against the building being lit up in Israeli colours met Israeli sympathisers there.

There were also ugly scenes in Sydney last Monday after thousands of pro-Palestinian sympathisers gathered on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, which was illuminated in blue and white in support of Israel. Read more

Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič said the report highlighting Islamophobia could prove to be "divisive" because it focused on one religious group to the exclusion of others.

The report is entitled "Countering Islamophobia/Anti-Muslim Hatred to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief".

It was presented to the council by Ahmed Shaheed, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

The report, which was released last week, is unsparing in its critique that governments around the world, including in the United States and China, should do more to combat Islamophobia.

Jurkovič, the Vatican's Permanent Observer to the U.N. in Geneva, expressed dismay at "the narrow scope of the report."

"The Holy See cannot but lament that the report does not adequately consider the overall context of persecution of all people of faith (or of no faith)," he said.

While the Vatican condemned "all acts of religious hatred, discrimination and persecution … including against Muslims," the archbishop said that highlighting one group appeared to mark "a substantial change" in approach.

In a footnote to his statement, the Slovenian archbishop noted that a 2007 Human Rights Council resolution outlining the special rapporteur's mandate only made one reference to Islamophobia, which it set alongside anti-Semitism and Christianophobia.

"It is clear from this context that the focus is on the elimination of instances of intolerance and violence against religious groups as a whole. Individually combating Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Christianophobia or discrimination against any other specific group is not considered in the special rapporteur's mandate," he said in the footnote.

Jurkovič concluded: "It is deeply concerning, therefore, that the present report, which should defend the fundamental and universal human right of freedom of religion or belief, has been focused on a single religious group to the exclusion of others with the risk of polarising the international community and creating more conflict that may further endanger the rights this council should promote and protect."

Sources

• Catholic Herald
• Religion News

She said IWCNZ has been engaging with both the previous and current government for several years, asking for support.

Rahman said she did not think the council's concerns had been taken seriously.

"We hear so much about immigration policy and who's coming into this country and so much of that is targeted against our community and we know that our community is discriminated against because of fears of terrorism.

"Why was this person not monitored? I think the government needs to come back and engage with us, and let us know what they're going to do, when and how, and it needs to be community-based and community-led.

"About five years ago, the IWCNZ wrote a comprehensive report on the problems we were facing and sent it to the Ministry of Social Development.

"We pushed, but as far as we know, nothing concrete was done with that report," said Rahman.

She said they had received no significant funding.

"At least five years of solid government engagement took place across a National-led and then a Labour-led government.

"We begged and pleaded, we demanded.

"We knocked on every door we could, we spoke at every forum we were invited to."

The IWCNZ and other Mulsim organisations have repeatedly expressed their concerns:

• In October 2016 with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS)
• In December 2016 when the then race relations commissioner Dame Susan Devoy convened a meeting with Muslim women
• In January 2017 with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
• In March 2017 the Human Rights Commission and the State Services Commission organised a full-day meeting with heads of government
• In August 2017 with the Department of Internal Affairs in Hamilton
• With the Department of Internal Affairs and Office of Ethnic Communities over the next few months
• In January 2018 with DIA, OEC and two government ministers from the new government
• In February 2018 at a major security conference

Listen to Catherine Ryan interview

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• radionz.co.nz
• thespinoff.co.nz
• Image: radionz.co.nz

Each year the report collates hate crime statistics from law enforcement agencies across the country.

Its aim is to help provide an accurate accounting of the problem, by state and nationally.

President-elect Donald Trump said he was "very surprised" to hear about them during a US "60 Minutes" interview on Sunday.

"I hate to hear that. I mean, I hate to hear that," he said.

Trump has been accused of fostering racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.

This view is fueled by his promises to restrict immigration, deport Mexicans, and register Muslims.

He has appointed Steve Bannon, boss of far-right Breitbart website as his chief White House strategist.

Breitbart openly attacks women, Muslims and African-Americans and Jews.

The FBI says the increase in hate crimes began before the 2016 election campaign started.

The report shows crimes against Muslims rose by 70% from 178 in 2014 to 301 in 2015.

The report also records 664 incidents (a 9% increase) against Jews and Jewish institutions "motivated by anti-Semitism" .

Jews and Muslims are banding together to support each other.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which fights against antisemitism and bigotry is strongly condemning all anti Muslim incidents.

A US not-for-profit hate-attack monitoring group, the Southern Poverty Law Center has also been keeping records.

Group spokesperson Mark Potok says it has documented anecdotes of 437 cases of intimidation and abuse towards minorities since last week's general election.

Potok said many anecdotes were linked to President-elect Donald Trump's supporters.

Rizwan Jaka, a Muslim representative spoke on the same 60 Minutes programme as Trump.

She said the Muslim community in has faced a "roller coaster of challenges in the past 15 years, since the horrific attacks of 9/11[...]

"In 2015, over 75 mosques were attacked ...Muslim women that are wearing the scarf are being taunted or harassed or threatened ...".

"And so we're all concerned, and obviously there's bigotry across the spectrum, across all demographics, and we're concerned about it all".

Source

• CBS News
• National Catholic Reporter
• BBC
• The Jerusalem Post
• International Business Times
• Image: hatecrimescotland.org

"Muslim women come from different backgrounds and ethnicities and yet we are treated as if we all think the same way.

"You often hear about the fact women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. But that's not representative of Islam, only Saudi Arabia.

"In countries like Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia women indulge in rights that many women in the west haven't even enjoyed yet. Read more

Jewish Co-chair Dave Moskovitz said that the Council had welcomed Muslims at all meetings since 2007, and it was now time to make the relationship more formal.

'The three Abrahamic religions share a great deal of common history, theology, ethics, and practice. We have important and significant differences too.

Making peace begins with each of us, and is our collective responsibility."

"It's too important to leave to world leaders," he said.

The Council's aim is to foster understanding, friendship and trust between the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Sultan Eusoff is the CEO of the Federation of Islamic Associations NZ and will become the Muslim Co-chair on 14 April.

The name "Abrahamic" comes from our common prophet Abraham, who according to our traditions proclaimed monotheism some 3800 years ago.

Sultan Eusoff is the CEO of the Federation of Islamic Associations NZ and will become the Muslim Co-chair on 14 April.

Eusoff said, "We are happy and excited to cement our already strong relationships with our Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters."

"We have learned a lot about each other, and there is plenty more to learn and share."
Christian Co-chair Rev Jenny Chalmers added, "There has never been a more important time to join together."

"Islamophobia and antisemitism are on the rise, against a backdrop of global tensions that are attributed to religious differences."

"Mutual understanding is the key to effective communication and progress in our relationships. It's not always easy, but we're all committed to this sacred work," she said.

The Launch of the Wellington Abrahamic Council of Jews, Christians and Muslims will take place at Parliament House in Wellington at 5:30pm on Tuesday 14 April.
Source

• Supplied - The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews
• Image: dippost.com

Both the Pope and Turkish leaders spoke frankly about their respective concerns.

"It is essential that all citizens - Muslim, Jewish and Christian - both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties," the Pope said November 28 in a speech to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials at the presidential palace.

"Freedom of religion and freedom of expression, when truly guaranteed to each person, will help friendship to flourish and thus become an eloquent sign of peace.

"Commitment to such freedoms is essential to countering fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears which foster misunderstanding and discrimination," he said.

Pope Francis strongly condemned the "barbaric violence" perpetrated against Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq, however stressed an eye-for-an-eye violence in return will not solve the problem.

"In reaffirming that it is licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor, I wish to reiterate, moreover, that the problem cannot be resolved solely through a military response."

The Holy Father described the humanitarian situation in Syria and Iraq as "unbearable" and pointed the finger mainly at extremist fundamentalist groups.

Speaking in the vast auditorium of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's palace in Ankara, Francis lauded Turkey for hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees, and reminded the international community of their "moral obligation" to help care for the almost 2 million Syrians living within Turkish borders.

He also called for an increase in religious tolerance and the tackling of fundamentalism by relieving hunger, poverty and marginalisation, and not by military interventions alone.

"What is required is a concerted commitment on the part of all, based on mutual trust, which can pave the way to lasting peace, and enable resources to be directed, not to weaponry, but to the other noble battles worthy of man: the fight against hunger and sickness, the promotion of sustainable development and the protection of creation, and the relief of the many forms of poverty and marginalisation, of which there is no shortage in the world today," the pope said.

Islamophobia a rising Western problem

For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of prejudice and intolerance against Muslims in other countries, stating that "Islamophobia is a serious and rapidly rising problem in the West".

He lamented "attempts to identify Islam with terrorism hurt millions."

In a strongly worded warning against growing Islamophobia in the world, Erdogan said that Islamophobia risked further dividing Muslims and Christians.

"Islamophobia is rising seriously and rapidly. We must work together against the threats weighing on our planet — intolerance, racism and discrimination," said Erdogan.

Religious violence is ignorance

Former grand mufti of Istanbul, Mustafa Cagrici, who famously welcomed Benedict XVI to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and during which, he and Benedict shared a moment of prayer facing Mecca, described Pope Francis' visit as "Symbolically, an important gesture of peace that the pope is coming to, and being welcomed by, an Islamic country."

"It's true, both the Quran and the Bible have passages that justify violence," said Cagrici, the former head of religious affairs for Istanbul, and respected figure among the Turks..

"But there are many more arguments for peace. Violence done in the name of religion is rooted in ignorance," he said.

Sources

• CNS
• The Guardian
• Crux
• UCANews.com
• Image: SCMP

But while Khan is a comic book character, she should not become a caricature.

"Her brother is extremely conservative," the editor, Sana Amanat, told The New York Times. "Her mom is paranoid that she's going to touch a boy and get pregnant. Her father wants her to concentrate on her studies and become a doctor."

American literature is replete with tales of assimilation, from "My Antonia" to "The Joy Luck Club." The overprotective mother and the demanding father are staples of the genre. But with Khan, there is an additional twist: The "conservative" brother.

When talking about Muslims, "conservative" is often code for someone who embraces a fundamentalist understanding of Islam, which is viewed as just one step short of becoming a terrorist. Continue reading.

Source: Religion News Service

Image: Marvel